| Unit name | Pharmacology of the Nervous System |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PHPH20011 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Rob Thatcher |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
Pharmacology 1A (PHPH10003) |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience |
| Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
Why is this unit important?
In this unit you will learn about the basic mechanisms of drug action with a primary focus on neuropharmacology. You will learn about how drugs modify ion channel function and what this tells us about ion channel physiology. You will also learn about the pharmacology of the major classes of drugs affecting the normal and pathological function of the central nervous system.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit builds on the fundamental principles of pharmacology that you learnt in the first year of your programme. Here you will be focusing on the nervous system, applying and extending those basic principles to this area of physiology, pharmacology and neuroscience. The content and skills you obtain in this unit will support you in completing the remainder of your programme.
An overview of content
This unit will build upon your knowledge of pharmacodynamics (how drugs act on the body) with respect to agonism, antagonism and modulation. You will learn about drugs which modify the action of major families of ion channels. You will also learn about key features of neurotransmission at the skeletal neuromuscular junction and the effect of drugs on this system, the major neurotransmitter pathways in the central nervous system and their modification by drugs. In addition you will learn about how drugs are used to treat a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
You will gain confidence in your data handling skills through practical classes. Moreover, you will have the opportunity to develop your communication skills through the preparation and presentation of an academic poster. Through this, you will be better prepared for the third year of your programme.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the unit, you will be able to:
Teaching on this unit will be delivered by:
Attendance and engagement
You are expected to attend all practical classes. If you fail to attend and/or engage with components of a unit, the matter may be referred to the Faculty Board of Examiners. If the Faculty Board decides that your attendance or engagement has not been sufficient to satisfy the unit's Intended Learning Outcomes, they may decide that you are unable to progress to the next year of study. If this is the case, you will be required to complete reassessment work to a satisfactory standard. This may include additional written work (to be completed during the summer) or a requirement to repeat part or all of the unit in a supplementary year.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
The assessment in this unit are aimed to support not only your learning of the topic but also your development of scientific writing skills.
When assessment does not go to plan
There will be an opportunity for reassessment of the end of unit exam in the reassessment period. In addition, there will be an opportunity to complete the coursework in the summer prior to the reassessment period. The reassessments will be in the same format as the main assessments.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. PHPH20011).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
